Opinion

The inspiration for my old cap -- and why I waited so long to get a new one

  The clock on my laptop reads 11:35, but that’s Iowa time. It’s 12:35 Eastern Standard Time here in central Kentucky, where we have been working a couple hours south of L...

New life for an old house

Vinton volunteers from Blessed Hope begin work on replacing a floor in a house in Kentucky. June moved in the old house 18 years ago. For years, the widow has lived alone at the end of a quiet street in Kentucky. We met June on Monday, and went to work on her house. If all goes well,...

Kentucky Mission, Day 1: Long, winding road

The twisting road that took us to our mission destination, as seen on our GPS screen. Dean, they said you gotta take a picture of this. It was the first time anyone had ever asked me to take a picture of a screen. We were just about to our destination -- Eagle School Road ne...

From the trail to the Appalachians...

Rain -- or at least a few drops and a rainbow -- greeted us in Indiana. Or was it Ohio? My allergy medicine is missing -- which is not the best way to start August. All of the caps that keep the sun from putting wrinkled raccoon-like red circles on my eyes are hanging on the rack ...

200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812

June 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812.  This event, usually overlooked in most history books and courses, was a very important part of the Early American R...

To the Editor: What if voter fraud helped conservative candidates?

The Voter ID Discussion? It would seem that the liberal/progressive argument is, no restrictions to voter participation regardless of who they are or say they are or when and if they register pr...

The queen and the dog, and Vinton Today’s comment policy

  An area politician walked by me at a recent baseball game, gave me an understanding smile and patted me on the back. I laughed, because I knew what he was saying. He was identify...

To the Editor: Thoughts about the dead on voter registration rolls

Dear Editor: I concur with John S. and his statements about voter ID. I want to respond to a comment left on his letter comparing voter ID laws to the health care mandate. First of all...

Pastor\'s Blog: Truth and Kindness: Living by the Eighth Commandment

  In his Small Catechism (yes, there is a Large Catechism also) Dr. Martin Luther wrote short explanations for the basic teachings of the Christian Faith. He intended that parents should u...

Why those who receive honor from veterans still clap for them

  It was inspiring, on Thursday night, when the Vinton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8884 presented me with an award, then gave me a standing salute. It should have been the other way ...